iPhone 12 Not Charging When Plugged In? Learn Why & How To Fix It!

Is your iPhone 12 refusing to charge or power on when connected to power? Don’t lose hope, some simple DIY troubleshooting can get it charging again.

fix iphone 12 not charging when plugged in


Few things are more stressful than plugging your iPhone 12 into power only to have it fail to charge up. No matter what outlet, cable, or charger you use, the iPhone 12 remains lifeless at 0% battery. Of course the phone is useless without juice!

But before you pay for an expensive repair or new iPhone, there are a few quick troubleshooting steps you can take yourself to revive your stubbornly un-charging iPhone 12. Let’s discuss likely causes of the no charging issue and how to get your iPhone battery charging happily again.

Why Won’t My iPhone 12 Charge?

Oftentimes, mobile device charging problems are attributed to random software glitches ruining the charging functions. This is usually the case when your iPhone suddenly refuses to charge following a software update, new app installation or settings customization.

Thus, the first recommendation is to identify the possible reasons and eliminate the culprits individually.

Common reasons an iPhone 12 won’t charge include are the following:

  • Loose Lightning cable needs reseating in the port
  • Wall charger is underpowered and can’t charge properly
  • Dirty, clogged Lightning port needs cleaning
  • Depleted battery needs 30+ minutes initial charging
  • Failing lithium-ion battery unable to hold charge
  • Damaged charging components like fried power chips

By understanding the specific trigger, you can better resolve it. Now, let’s go ahead and perform some DIY charging solutions for your iPhone.

DIY Troubleshooting for iPhone 12 Charging Problems

Before you opt for hardware repair or battery replacement, there are some basic tweaks that you can do on your end to fix your iPhone 12 that’s not charging. Try these homemade solutions to revive an un-charging iPhone:

1. Remove then firmly re-insert Lightning cable to ensure tight fit

Removing then firmly re-insert the Lightning cable is recommended when dealing with a no charging issue on an iPhone 12 for the following reasons:

  • To remove any debris or lint that may have accumulated in the Lightning port. Over time, dust, dirt, and lint can build up in the Lightning port, preventing the cable from making a proper connection. Removing and re-inserting the cable can help to dislodge any debris.
  • To ensure that the cable is properly connected. If the cable is not inserted all the way into the port, it may not be able to make a good electrical connection. Removing and re-inserting the cable firmly can help to ensure that it is properly seated.
  • To reset the Lightning port. Sometimes, the Lightning port may need to be reset in order to resolve a charging issue. Removing and re-inserting the cable can help to do this.
iphone 12 won't charge solution 1

Here are the steps to properly remove then firmly re-insert the Lightning cable on an iPhone 12:

  1. Disconnect the Lightning cable from your iPhone 12.
  2. Inspect the Lightning port for any debris or lint. If you see any, use a toothpick or other small object to carefully remove it.
  3. Re-insert the Lightning cable into the port, making sure that it is firmly seated.
  4. Try charging your iPhone 12 again.

If you have followed these steps and your iPhone X is still not charging, there may be a more serious issue with the Lightning port or the cable itself. In this case, try to rule out other factors that may be preventing the device from charging.

2. Try higher wattage wall adapter like 20W fast charging brick

Higher wattage wall adapters can provide more power to your iPhone, which can help to resolve charging issues. If your iPhone is not charging properly, it is possible that the wall adapter you are using is not providing enough power. Trying a higher wattage wall adapter can help to rule out this possibility.

iphone 12 charging higher wattage wall adapter

Other reasons why it is recommended to try a higher wattage wall adapter like a 20W fast charging brick when dealing with charging problems on an iPhone 12 include:

  • Fast charging bricks can help to charge your iPhone more quickly. If you are having trouble getting your iPhone to charge to 100%, trying a fast charging brick may help.
  • Fast charging bricks are widely available and relatively affordable. You can find fast charging bricks from a variety of manufacturers, including Apple, at most electronics stores.

3. Clean any debris from Lightning port with wooden toothpick

Over time, dust, dirt, and lint can build up in the Lightning port on an iPhone 12, preventing the cable from making a proper connection. This can cause the phone to not charge properly or at all.

Cleaning any debris from the Lightning port can help to resolve this issue by allowing the cable to make a good electrical connection with the phone.

clean charging port iphone 12

To clean the Lightning port on an iPhone 12, you can use a toothpick or other small object to gently remove any visible debris. You can also use a can of compressed air to blow out any dust or lint that may be stuck deep in the port.

Be careful not to damage the pins inside the Lightning port when cleaning it. If you are not comfortable cleaning the port yourself, you can take your phone to an Apple Store or authorized service provider for assistance.

Here are the steps to clean the Lightning port on an iPhone 12:

  1. Turn off your iPhone 12.
  2. Use a flashlight to inspect the Lightning port for any debris.
  3. If you see any debris, use a toothpick or other small object to gently remove it.
  4. Be careful not to damage the pins inside the port.
  5. Once you have removed all of the visible debris, use a can of compressed air to blow out any dust or lint that may be stuck deep in the port.
  6. Plug in the Lightning cable and try charging your iPhone 12.

If your iPhone 12 is still not charging properly after cleaning the Lightning port, there may be a more serious issue with the port or the cable itself. In this case, try the next applicable solutions.

4. Let iPhone charge (connected to the charging source) for 30+ minutes even if screen stays black

If the iPhone battery is completely drained, it may take some time for it to start charging again. Leaving the iPhone connected to the charger for 30+ minutes can give the battery the time it needs to recover and start charging again.

charge iphone 12 for 30+ minutes

Here are other benefits from letting the iPhone charge (connected to the charging source) for 30+ minutes even if the screen stays black:

  • It gives the battery time to recover. If the iPhone battery is completely drained, it may take some time for it to start charging again. Leaving the iPhone connected to the charger for 30+ minutes can give the battery the time it needs to recover and start charging again.
  • It allows the iPhone to reset. Sometimes, a simple reset can fix minor software glitches that may be causing the charging issue. Letting the iPhone charge for 30+ minutes can help to reset the device and resolve the issue.
  • It can help to identify a hardware problem. If the iPhone is still not charging after 30+ minutes, then it is likely that there is a hardware problem with the device. Leaving the iPhone connected to the charger for an extended period of time can help to confirm this.

If you have tried letting your iPhone charge for 30+ minutes and it is still not charging, try the last workaround before opting for service.

5. Force Restart iPhone while plugged into the charging source

Force restarting your iPhone while it is plugged into the charging source can help resolve no charging problem that are software-related. Here’s how it works:

  • It can clear out any temporary software glitches that may be preventing the iPhone from charging properly.
  • It can reset the iPhone’s battery management system.
  • It can reset the iPhone’s Lightning port.
force restart iphone 12 while charging

To force restart an iPhone, follow these steps:

  1. Press and quickly release the volume up button.
  2. Press and quickly release the volume down button.
  3. Press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears.

Keep holding the side button until the Apple logo appears, even if your iPhone screen turns black. Once the Apple logo appears, you can release the side button.

With luck, basic steps like these bring many “dead” iPhones 12 back to life. Don’t give up resuscitating your iPhone 12 until the last option is exhausted! 

When Hardware Repair May Be Needed

If your iPhone 12 still won’t charge after troubleshooting, then it’s very likely that a repair will be required. In this case, your next options would be as follows:

  • Battery replacement if it’s depleted or worn out
  • Lightning port pin straightening or replacement
  • Motherboard repair for fried power regulation chips
  • Schedule Genius Bar appointment to diagnose battery

While an iPhone 12 refusing to charge can seem dire, methodical user-level troubleshooting revives many devices. Check connections, allow sufficient charge time, reset the device, inspect ports. With concerted effort, you can likely get your iPhone 12 charging reliably again without the expense or hassle of a repair or new phone.

1 thought on “iPhone 12 Not Charging When Plugged In? Learn Why & How To Fix It!”

  1. Sometimes when I updated the iOS versions, fast charging did not work, or fast charging was available on other iDevices but not on the iPhone. After reading this article, I finally know why. I’ve been using TunesKit iOS System Recovery to solve these problems. I think the improvement of iOS is really necessary.

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